I. ˈpōl noun
Etymology: Middle English pol, polle, from Middle Low German
Date: 14th century
1. : head
2.
a. : the top or back of the head
b. : nape
3. : the broad or flat end of a striking tool (as a hammer)
4.
a.
(1) : the casting or recording of the votes of a body of persons
(2) : a counting of votes cast
b. : the place where votes are cast or recorded — usually used in plural
at the poll s
c. : the period of time during which votes may be cast at an election
d. : the total number of votes recorded
a heavy poll
5.
a. : a questioning or canvassing of persons selected at random or by quota to obtain information or opinions to be analyzed
b. : a record of the information so obtained
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to cut off or cut short the hair or wool of : crop , shear
b. : to cut off or cut short (as wool)
2.
a. : to cut off or back the top of (as a tree) ; specifically : pollard
b. : to cut off or cut short the horns of (cattle)
3.
a. : to receive and record the votes of
b. : to request each member of to declare a vote individually
poll the assembly
4. : to receive (as votes) in an election
5. : to question or canvass in a poll
6. : to test (as several computer terminals sharing a single line) in sequence for messages to be transmitted
intransitive verb
: to cast one's vote at a poll
• poll·ee pō-ˈlē noun
• poll·er ˈpō-lər noun